1st Advantage MortgageKimball County (3,248 residents) has a $56,712 median household income and $846 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Nebraska before sharing details.
On this page
- Kimball County at a glance
- Household income in Kimball County
- Where Kimball County households live
- Kimball County against other Nebraska counties
- How Kimball County residents earn a living
- Regional comparison for Kimball County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Kimball County
- A Kimball County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Kimball County data as a borrower
- More Kimball County figures
- A Kimball County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Kimball County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Kimball County's population at 3,248; only 63 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. Its 952 square miles average 3 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Kimball County is not part of any metropolitan area. Largest place: Kimball, about 2,225 residents (69% of Kimball County); 3 Census places in all. At 3,248 people, Kimball County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
Household income in Kimball County
Median household income in Kimball County: $56,712 (26% below Nebraska, $76,475). In the state ranking that is 87th of 93.
| Band | Kimball County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.7% | +7.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.4% | +8.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.4% | -9.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | -6.9 pts |
29% under $35,000 and 21% at $100,000 or more: that is the Kimball County income split. Poverty rate, Kimball County: 12.2%; Nebraska: 10.6%. Kimball County scores 0.443 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Where Kimball County households live
Renters in Kimball County pay a median of $846 a month, 21% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. Kimball County homes are worth $109,400 at the median, a 1.9-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 75%. Half the housing stock was built before 1952.
| Kimball County | Nebraska | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 53% | 22% | +31.1 pts |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +8.7 pts |
| Mobile homes | 8.5% | 2.9% | +5.6 pts |
| Median home value | $109,400 | $238,600 | 54% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 45% | +4.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $846/mo | $1,072/mo | 21% lower |
At a $109,400 median value, many Kimball County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Kimball County against other Nebraska counties
Out of every Nebraska county, Kimball County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Nebraska counties match Kimball County on the uninsured rate: 14.4% here, 7.2% for the state, ranking the highest of 93. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- Kimball County ranks 3rd lowest of 93 Nebraska counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 15%, against 35% statewide. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Few Nebraska counties match Kimball County on the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 21% here, 37% for the state, ranking 6th lowest of 93. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
How Kimball County residents earn a living
Manufacturing employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 16%. Compared with Nebraska, the county leans toward manufacturing (25% against 10%). Averaged over the five survey years, 0.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 72% of Kimball County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 8% need 45 or more. No car: 3.8% of Kimball County households.
| Top industries | Kimball County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.1% | +14.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.1% | -8.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.8% | +4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.0% | -2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -2.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Regional comparison for Kimball County
Six nearby counties, 24 to 52 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Kimball County's $56,712 median trails 5 of the six and beats 1; the range runs $51,829 (Logan County) to $80,173 (Laramie County). Some neighbors are in Colorado and Wyoming. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Kimball County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimball County | - | $56,712 | $846/mo | 75% |
| Banner County, NE | 24 mi | $78,839 | $975/mo | 68% |
| Cheyenne County, NE | 36 mi | $60,348 | $821/mo | 67% |
| Scotts Bluff County, NE | 45 mi | $63,614 | $909/mo | 69% |
| Logan County, CO | 46 mi | $51,829 | $1,013/mo | 66% |
| Laramie County, WY | 50 mi | $80,173 | $1,160/mo | 71% |
| Morrill County, NE | 52 mi | $58,500 | $768/mo | 77% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Kimball County
2,609 of Kimball County's 3,248 residents live in its 3 Census places (80%); the 3 largest are listed. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimball | city | 2,225 | $56,174 | $828 | 4 mi |
| Dix | village | 224 | $52,500 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Bushnell | village | 160 | $40,000 | n/a | 10 mi |
A Kimball County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Kimball County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Kimball County: $4,726
- 18% goes to median rent ($846)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,701 total minus rent leaves $855
If your rent is above $846, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Kimball County data as a borrower
Where the Kimball County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Kimball County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Retirement budgets. In a county with a 49.8 median age, keep any loan term shorter than your plans for the money.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
More Kimball County figures
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Kimball County | vs Nebraska | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.0% | -19.6 pts | -7.1 pts |
| Median age | 49.8 | +12.6 yrs | +8.3 yrs |
| No health insurance | 14.4% | +7.2 pts | +6.6 pts |
| Work from home | 4.3% | -6.7 pts | -4.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.7% | +3.8 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.7% | -2.3 pts | -3.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | -1.7 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | +1.6 pts | -1.0 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Kimball County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 72.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 9.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
A Kimball County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Kimball County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Kimball County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
Before sharing details with a lender, a Kimball County resident can confirm its license with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. State-level detail for Kimball County borrowers is in the Nebraska guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Kimball County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $56,712 a good income in Kimball County?
It is the county median, so half of Kimball County households earn more and half less; 21% earn $100,000 or more.
Is Kimball County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $846 against $1,072 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Kimball County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live near Kimball. Which guide is mine?
This one. Kimball and the rest of Kimball County have no separate city guide.
Does living in Kimball County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Kimball County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.